San Diego Classic Film Calendar

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Sleight Movie Review

Yesterday, we saw Sleight, directed by J.D. Dillard. I knew virtually nothing about it, other than what I'd seen in a couple of commercials the day before. I don't want to give away too much of the plot. Jacob Latimore plays Bo, a young street magician who because of the death of his parents is forced to support his little sister. During the day he does card tricks for tips, but at night, he deals drugs. Before long, he is in way over his head in a very violent world.When Bo does his magic, there appears to be more going on than simple sleight of hand. Sleight hints at what is going on, but I didn't get it until they did the big reveal late in the film, and that worked for me. The film is way more intense than I would have expected. The violence is not comic book people being thrown across the room, but treated realistically, and you spend much of the film worried about what's going to happen when the whole thing comes crashing in.I don't think I knew anyone in the cast, at least, I'd never seen them in anything, but all are very good. Jacob Latimore is believable as a young man, doing questionable things but for the right reason of supporting his kid sister, Storm Reid, who also gives a strong performance when required. Seychelle Gabriel is good as Latimore's love interest, and Dulé Hill is menacing as his drug dealer boss. Rounding out the cast is Sasheer Zamata as Latimore's neighbor and the moral center of the film.For me, it was everything I want in a low-budget movie, good story, executed well, and a strong cast, no chase scenes or explosions The only special effects were limited to the magic in the film. I think there are spots where the science doesn't work, but by that point, I was hooked and could easily look past it. It's a good movie. Go see it.